On March 24th, approximately 850,000 students and adults took to the streets of Washington, DC., with other “sibling marches” taking place across the country, including locally in White Plains. This event, which was appropriately titled “March For Our Lives,” was completely organized by Parkland, Florida students, including Emma Gonzalez, David Hogg and Cameron Kasky.

These teens have become the most outspoken supporters of the gun control movement since the February 14th shooting at their high school. Other notable figures also took part in and financially supported event. The march gathered international attention, was widely covered by the media, and received praise from leaders around the world.

(L-R): Jake Mikesell, Ari Silver, Maxwell Keilles

A Day to Remember

As plans for the march came together, I spoke with some friends from Greeley and we decided that we were not doing enough to help. So in the early morning hours of March 24th, we boarded a bus at Congregation Kol Ami in White Plains to travel to Washington D.C. We arrived in D.C. at around 11 a.m., but the ride itself was particularly emotional for me because I was able to sit for the first time and reflect on what had unfolded over the last month.

As we approached the parking lot at RFK Stadium, we were swarmed by hundreds of busses filled with marchers of all ages. Once parked, we trekked towards the city with homemade banners in hand. Everywhere we walked, the surrounding community had opened their doors to offer food and support to the thousands of protesters who had come from around the country. As we walked, we took in the beauty of the city and the blooming flowers and finally arrived to the sight of the Capitol Building. I was overcome with emotion as I fully recognized the importance of the day.

Horace Greeley junior Maxwell Keilles shared his thoughts on the event. “The march was one of the most important things I feel that I’ve done and I felt great that I was able to hear such inspiring speeches from so many wonderful people.” Another Greeley junior, Jake Mikesell commented, “I chose to attend the march because I am a high school student and hearing about mass school shootings and students my age dying is horrific and should be stopped. Gun reform should be much stricter so that schools can be safer.”

Musicians & Moments of Silence

Shortly after our arrival the event commenced. Multiple musicians performed, including Lin-Manuel Miranda of Hamilton fame and Ben Platt from Dear Evan Hansen. The two had come together to perform a song that they had written for the event. Shortly after, students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School delivered heartfelt speeches. The most notable was Emma Gonzalez’s, who held a six-minute moment of silence. The six minutes represented the amount of time it took for the shooter, Nikolas Cruz to kill 17 people in Parkland. Throughout the moment of silence, the crowd yelled “never again” in perfect unison. Other teens and kids who had been directly affected by gun violence also spoke to the large crowd. It was unlike anything I had ever witnessed.

Gun Control Takes the National Spotlight

While students take to the streets in a call for action, lawmakers in Washington are looking at ways they can change our nation’s laws for the better. According to Politico, polls show that support for greater gun restrictions has risen dramatically since the Parkland shooting. Still, most politicians who receive funds from the NRA, refuse to deny such politically motivated payments, which has caused public outrage. The already serious issue has caused much polarization.

Looking Ahead

The events that unfolded on March 24th are not the end of this movement, they are only the beginning. Students plan on organizing numerous events and walkouts to help spread the message that “enough is enough” and that it is time to take action. These events are taking place during an important year, as the midterm elections are set to take place this fall.

Walkouts have already been planned for April 20th, which is the 19th anniversary of the shooting at Columbine High School. Students are trying to figure out how they can be more active in their communities and local governments.

One piece of advice that Representative Nita Lowey shared during my recent meeting with her was to go out and vote. I found this message to be the most inspiring, since it is likely to have the most direct effect on the individuals who make our laws. For students who are not of voting age, I would encourage them to call their local representatives, voice their opinions and ask for support on specific legislation.

In Remembrance

On April 20th, during National School Walkout, we will take the time to remember the lives of the 12 students and 1 teacher who were killed in Columbine High School 19 years ago. And we also keep in our minds all who have lost their lives to gun violence. While this has been an emotional and eye opening time for myself and my peers, this has been an opportunity for students and adults to find their voices and realize where they stand on this controversial issue and what we can accomplish together.

I was planning a personal reminisce about 15 years of publishing for this 15-year anniversary edition.* Instead, my mind has been squarely focused on the massacre that took 17 precious lives at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida on Valentine’s Day. I’ll save going down memory lane for some other day.

In the week that followed, I visited a rally in White Plains quickly organized by Indivisible Westchester, Up2Us and Million Mom March, northern Westchester chapter. Erin Fuller, a 30-year-old survivor of the Oct. 1, 2017 Las Vegas massacre which killed 58 people, and injured nearly 500 more, spoke to hundreds gathered. Our story about the rally can be found online here.

More recently, I attended a roundtable of local teens (including ones from Greeley, Pleasantville, White Plains, among others) who joined several police officers to meet with Congresswoman Nita Lowey. To hear our kids grappling over what can be done was both heartening and heartbreaking.

Heartening–in that we are giving our kids a platform to voice their concerns and ideas.

Heartbreaking–in that it was a poignant reminder that it is KIDS who are on the front-lines, and too often, the victims of these shootings.

I asked a reporter to contact a group of area Superintendents for statements about campus safety and to speak with some of our students too; our story will be here at theinsidepress.com too as I try to stay current and share info into social media.

On March 14, high school students throughout the County will have an opportunity to express themselves–for 17 minutes to honor 17 lives. On March 24, many more will be advocating for overdue change too all around the county. Please visit marchforourlives.org for more info.

15 years ago, before Sandy Hook, before Las Vegas–before the reportedly 18 school shootings just this year–I was not, I must confess, preoccupied with these issues. I am now, however. So many are, including many who have not ‘stepped up’ before. A dear friend noted recently, “The winds are changing.” I believe that’s true, too.

The weather is turning soon. With more sun, comes more brightness and reason for optimism, too. Enjoy the edition! So much hard work went into it, and always appreciative of that.

P.S. A special congrats to our newly sworn-in town officials! At a historic and packed ceremony at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center, President Bill Clinton presided, speaking of ‘A New Beginning,’ and the positive aspects of that.

*Fortunately, we have a terrific compilation of 15 major milestones in the community since 2003 on page 24 of this edition already, so do take a glance! The story is on our home page, and you can always download the entire magazine edition from there too.

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